Letter erector for theater signs



ERECTOR FOR THEATER SIGNS Filed April 8, 1941!? Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y 2,487,738 LETTER ERECTOR FOR THEATER SIGNS Lawrence J. Stehberger, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application April 8, 1947, Serial No. 740,066

2 Claims. (Cl. 294-19) The present invention .relates to a hand-used and letter-handling'implement which is expressly, but not necessarily, adapted for assembling and removing letters, such as kare used for formation of signs of types employed at the entrance of motion picture houses and the like` It is a matter of common knowledge that large motion picture theatres have outdoor electric and other types of sign boards to indicate to the public the title of a feature picture and for other purposes. The words composing the title are handassembled and standardized types of letters are employed. For example, the system employed is that which is commonly known in the trade as the Wagner Sign Service, Inc. technique. The sign boards are provided with vertically spaced, horizontally disposed hanger bars for the letters and the letters are notched to permit same to be conveniently hung on the bars. For further reference to the system commonly employed, reference may be had to U. S. Patent 2,048,040. The present invention has no reference to the letters or the sign board and suspension means, but merely to an implement which is expressly constructed to temporarily clamp the letters, to permit same to be elevated and placed in position, or grasped and lowered to the ground.

As a general proposition, the letters are hung from tall ladders and the service is not only precarious to workmen, but is also a source of danger to passersby.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a novel clamp and to secure same to the upper end of a handling pole or the like, the

arrangement being such that the workman may accomplish desired results by simply standing on the ground within convenient reach of the supporting bars on the sign board or panel.

In carrying out the preferred embodiment of the invention, I employ a simple and practical frame characterized by an arrangement of parts for effectively and securely clamping and holding a letter, the same embodying a remote-controlled jaw or grip to facilitate accomplishing the desired ends.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a perspective view, showing the clamping and holding frame, the reach pole, in dotted lines, and also, showing a conventional letter of the type under consideration, securely held in place.

Figure 2 is a view, approximately at right angles to Figure 1, the same constituting a central, vertical sectional view with parts in elevation.

The main frame member, denoted by the numeral 4 is of U-shaped form and includes a bight portion 5, an upper lateral limb I and a lower lateral limb l, beneath the limb 6.

The outer end of the limb 6 is riveted, or otherwise secured, as at 8, to the central portion of a right angularly disposed strap 9, which constitutes a relatively stationary jaw'and which conforms to and serves to accommodate the adjacent end of the letter I0. Incidentally, all Wagner type letters are provided with marginal flanges Il, and the flanges are, in turn, provided with 'angularly disposed keeper notches I2, which are detachably hung on the bars (not shown) of the sign panels or regulation-type sign board (not shown). It follows that the invention is applicable to all such letters and facilitates handling same for erecting purposes. Referring again to the upper jaw 9, the cuter ends thereof are upturned, as at I3,and are provided with suitable notches I4 to accommodate smaller hanger and suspension rods (not shown) which are used in hanging smaller letters, that is, letters used in composing such words as 111, and and so forth. The small rod referred to, simply is laid horizontally in the notches I4 and is elevated and inserted in position in a manner well-known to workmen. An L-clip I5 is riveted to the lower horizontal limb 'I and provides a hanger for a horizontal backing strip I6, which rests against the lower or base-portion of the letter to stabilize same and to facilitate the inserting and removing steps. An L-shaped guide bracket II is secured to the intermediate portion of the bight 5 and is provided with guide openings I8 for a slidable latch rod I9. The upper end of the rod is provided with a lateral bend 2B, providing a stop shoulder. This limits the downward sliding movement of the rod. The rod is provided with a stop washer 2| and a coil spring 22 surrounds the rod, bearing at one end against the washer, and at its opposite end, against the limb l. The inuence of the spring is to push the rod upwardly and to lift the lower plate or clamping jaw 23 in a corresponding manner, Incidentally, the lower end of the rod is laterally bent as at 24 and secured to the jaw plate 23. The numeral 25 designates a chain which is connected to the lateral bend 24, and which is provided with a remote-control rope or equivalent element 26. This rope extends down through guide eyes 21 on a reach-pole 28, the reach-pole being connected to the bight 5.

In operation, by opening the jaws 9 and 23, the letter I may be inserted and clamped in place. While thus clamped, the reach-pole is elevated and the letter is hung in a well-known manner on the hanger or suspension rod in the sign panel. After it is securely hung in place, the rope 26 is pulled downwardly and the latch is released, and the clamping means is thus readily disengaged from the letter. The same operational procedure j end to said movable jaw, and a spring cooperais followed when it is desired to grasp the letter,

already on the sign panel, for purposes of lifting and later detaching and lowering same to the ground.

The gist of the invention is in the provision of a pole or equivalent element for reaching, lifting and lowering purposes, the same having clamping means on its upper end and said clamping means having a remote-controlled latch actuable by the attendant, while standing on the ground.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader t0 obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufcient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A marquee letter conveyor and erector of the type shown and described comprising an elongated reach pole, a substantially 'U-shaped frame having its bight portion secured to the upper end of said pole, a backing member adapted to rest against a surface of a sign letter, said backing member being at right angles to the pole and frame and being secured to the lower end portion of said frame, a second horizontal mnember adapted to abut one end of the stated letter ble with the frame and rod member to hold the reach-pole comprising a U-shaped frame, a horizontal member secured to the limb at the upper end of said frame and constituting a fixed sign letter engaging jaw and having its outer ends upturned and notched, a horizontal letter backing strip connected to the limb at the lower portion of said frame, a guide bracket carried by the intermediate portion of said frame, a rod parallel to the bight portion of said frame and slidably mounted in said guide bracket and also in the lower portion of said frame, said rod member constituting a latch and being provided with a retaining spring, the lower end of said rod being laterally directed, and a plate secured to said laterally directed end and parallel to said iixed jaw and constituting a relatively movable Jaw.

LAWRENCE J. S'I'EHBERGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this partent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENI'S- 

